Coran's pov “What is the latest report?” I asked Joe who was standing beside my chair inside my office. He adjusted his rim and looked very hesitant to speak about his new findings, “go ahead, I am ready to hear it.”He coughed lightly and replied, “the current report I got was that she had flown out of the country a few days ago.”I felt a light squeeze in my heart and I let out a sad smile, “everyone leaves at the end. Anyways, I am happy that she is now free from me,” I muttered and returned my gaze back to the file I was working on.“But Boss…” Joe called and trailed off, waiting for me to give him a go ahead. I stared at him and nodded for him to say whatever he wanted to say.“If you cherish her so much, why did you let her go like that? Why did you hurt her and push her away like that?”If I say that wasn't the question I was expecting from him, I would be lying and yes, I already prepared the answer in advance.“ That silly girl already made herself known to the enemies by e
Ava's pov One month later,“Are you sure you want to go back?” James asked for the upteenth time, sadness was very obvious in his tone and I couldn't help but feel bad for being such an ingrate.It's been almost two months since I joined James in Morocco, I knew him through Jessica but he has always been a great person to me. He enrolled me into a textile design academy and I have been doing very great.The moments I spent with him were literally the best moments of my life. He is very caring and attentive to every little detail but despite all these, I can't help but feel guilty for abandoning Gary. Since the day that Coran snatched him off my hand, I don't know where he is nor do I know his whereabouts, which has been a burden on my chest.“ I don't want to leave you as well but I have to search for my friend, I can just leave him like that. I hope you understand,” I explained for the last time while James answered with a pout.“ Do you think I should follow you back? I don't want
Ava's pov The flight took a long hour and by the time we arrived, it was already dark everywhere. I dragged my luggage behind me while trying to reach my phone inside my pocket.But after lots of inconvenient trials, I gave up and relaxed till I got to the cab I booked. The driver helped me put my load in the car trunk while I settled down In the back seat, waiting for him to join me.My hand fumbled with my jacket, searching for my phone before I finally found it, I searched through my call logs and I finally stopped when I saw the particular contact I was searching for.“Hello babe,” Jessica picked up after the first ring.“Hi, where are you?” I asked, making sure to sound as nonchalant as possible since I didn't tell her that I was traveling back to Italy. It was meant to be a surprise for her.“What is it? Why are you asking where I am? Do you have something for me?” She replied in an auspicious tone, almost getting suspicious.“Why does it seem like you are on the road? The back
Ava's pov “Why didn't you tell me you were returning back? Did you really fool me?” Jessica asked as she dragged me along to their resting room. We settled in her space while I brought out her cake.“You got me this? Aren't you such a sweetheart?” She said with a shriek as she begam admiring the beauty petal design on the cake. I handed the boba tea to her as well and that heightened her joy.She cheerfully cut the cake and handed me a thin potion. As soon as it landed on my tongue, I felt a sudden need to throw up and I rushed out to a nearby toilet. I released all that I have in my bowel there.After I was done, I splattered a handful of water on my face to calm me down and just then, Jessica walked in with a suspicious gaze.“ What is wrong with you? Why did you suddenly vomit? Did you eat anything strange before you left your house?” She asked simultaneously and I gave her a head shake which wasn't really a definite answer.“ Can you say something? This doesn't guarantee an answe
Coran's povI heard a heavy fall from the other end while Jessica remained silent, “Hello, Are you there? Can you hear me?” No sound came which meant that she wasn't with the phone. I glanced at Luca who was seated beside me and I gave him a look that demanded an explanation from him.“I am not there as well, don't give me that look,” he shrugged and picked up his phone. He typed in some things there and waited a bit for the person's response. Minutes later, his phone chimed in a sign that message just entered.He picked it up, read it, then showed it to me, “Miss Jessica is currently with a patient, it seemed that the lady fainted or had a sudden panic attack,” the message read.I stood up in a go and picked up my jacket but before I could move, Luca used his hand to hold me back.“What do you think you are doing? You shouldn't let your emotions take over you; Do you want to sell Jessica out or what will make you suddenly visit the hospital not to talk of the particular ward that she
Coran's pov “Coran, your father is waiting for you at home,” Luca said, looking me in the eyes. An unknown tiredness instantly washed over me as my head suddenly became filled.I messaged my forehead lightly, then I asked, “What did he say he wanted? He rarely visits unless there is an emergency,”“He didn't say anything, he just told me to divulge a short piece of information,” I nodded at him to go ahead then he said“Your father said; Do you know you can't protect that girl forever? And you shouldn't forget the agreement,” I already knew he will bring up something about the agreement even before luca disburses his statement.“Thank you. you can leave but can you call Jessica for me on your way?” Jessica arrived in a jiffy and entered the room. I quickly explained the situation on the ground to her, making her know the reason why I had to urgently attend to my father.“I don't know when I will be back but you can contact me if anything serious comes up,” with this instruction, I l
Coran's pov.I politely exchanged a handshake with her then I excused myself, “I have an urgent matter to attend to now, I hope you won't mind.”Dr Navia shook her head and responded, “Oh, that's fine. I will also take a nap before I visit the patient,” Joe and a few men that were around surrounded her luggages and helped her with them while I entered the car and stepped on the pedal all the way to the clinic.I know that with the speed I drove, a hefty sum would have been added to my tab but who cares? All I want is just to set my gaze on Ava.I pulled up in the car park and as usual, I found my way to the ward room where Ava was now awake and was facing the opposite direction. I slowly walked in, minding each and every footstep of mine so that I wouldn't end up alerting her. Just then, I felt a hand tug at my shirt from behind. The person turned out to be Jessica who instantly placed her hand on my lips to shut me up.I glanced at the clueless Ava before following Jessica out for d
Ava's pov.“Here is your supplement, make sure you take it daily so that you will be strong enough to handle this pregnancy,” Jessica said and passed me a bag full of medicines.I thanked her and kept it in a safe space, knowing fully well that Coran would soon be here to pick me up. He left in the evening after we finalize the contract agreement, with the promise to return very early this morning.Jessica gave me a peck then prepared to leave, her hand was already on the knob when she stopped and returned back to my side with a baffling frown on her forehead.“I know you are still mad at me for keeping many things from you and I am willing to explain everything to you anytime you are ready. Also, I don't think keeping this pregnancy away from Coran is a good decision on your path, why don't you tell him so that he can protect you two?” She suggested.Truthfully, Jessica's action pained me even though I have been trying very hard to forgive her but I am still feeling skeptical about t
Luca's POVI stepped out of the bathroom as I rolled the condom packet between my fingers with a lazy smirk already playing on my lips.Jessica had been the one pushing for this, and fuck, I was already getting excited thinking about how much I wanted her—how much I had always wanted her. I guess taking things slowly wasn't in the cards for her. "Hey, you might want to—" I was saying but then I froze.She wasn’t there, She wasn't in the room, on the couch where I last saw her. I frowned as my eyes scanned the living room. The spot on the couch where she had been sitting was empty.Perhaps she was thirsty after the steamy moment."Jessica?" I called out as I glanced towards the kitchen. No response.A strange feeling had already begun to crawl up my spine, the kind of unease that didn’t make sense yet. Maybe she was in the other bathroom? I walked toward the door, listening. Silence.She still wasn't anywhere.Is she trying to play games with me? I wondered. Jessica really wasn't the
Jessica’s POVI should have known Ava wouldn’t let this slide.The moment she got me alone after I had agreed to go on a date with Luca, I could see it all over her face—the disapproval, the concern, the desperate urge to shake me out of what she believed was a mistake.I understood that she didn't want me to have to go through that trauma but I promise I was fine. "You can't be serious about this, Jess," she said with her arms crossed as she stood in front of me like a mother about to scold her child. "A date? With him?" She asked me incredulous. I let out a sigh, I had already anticipated this conversation. I knew she was speaking out of a place of concern but I could handle myself. "Ava—" I was saying. "No, hear me out," she cut in as I saw the way her eyes burned with something close to frustration. "I'm not saying Luca's a bad guy, okay? I actually think he's annoyingly charming in his own way. But you... you've been through so much, Jess. Are you sure you can handle this?"
Jessica’s POVI wasn't supposed to be know what he was going to say. At least, that’s what Ava had whispered to me the moment Luca showed up and Coran had called him away to speak with him. Ava had reached for my hand when I wanted to follow them and she had tried to pull me away from going with them. “Leave it to Coran,” she had urged me in a low but urgent voice. “You really don’t need this right now.” she had said to me and she was right, I didn’t need this. I didn’t need Luca showing up at Coran’s house, invading a space that had finally started feeling safe for me. I sure as hell didn’t need the way my heart stuttered the moment I sst my eyes on him, nor the way the world suddenly seemed to shrink down to just his presence the moment o noticed him standing there. But none of that stopped me from standing up and ignoring Ava’s grip."I'm just going to check up on them and let them be." I said to her as I ignored Navia's eyes on me and I quietly followed Luca and Coran as they d
Luca's POV I wasn’t supposed to be here,I know that much but the moment I heard Navia casually mention a barbecue at Coran’s place—and the fact that Jessica might be there, I shut my thinking.I already had it planned out, I was visiting a friend in Milan. An old pal, but upon hearing that she was going to be at Coran's place on Saturday, I just knew that this was my chance to see her and if I got lucky, get to speak to her. I had called, rescheduled my visit to Milan for a few more days and prepared to visit Coran's mansion when no one was suspecting. I had spent days trying to figure out where Jessica had disappeared to and everyone refused to tell me, they were all acting clueless. Not Ava, not Coran, and definitely not Jessica herself as she had somehow either deactivated her phone or blocked me from contacting her. It was like she had vanished into thin air, and I had been left with nothing but restless nights and this growing frustration that gnawed at me at every thought of
Jessica's pov The afternoon sun was warm and it's golden rays were sprawled over estate as I pulled up to the gates of Ava and Coran’s mansion. I had debated coming because I was a bit hesitant for reasons I didn’t want to acknowledge, but Ava had been persistent, She kept texting and bothering me. Begging that I came. What had finally pulled me to the bathroom was a particular voicemail she sent to me. "Jessica, it's just a casual barbecue. You need to get out of your apartment for once," she had insisted over the phone. "And before you ask—no, Luca won’t be there. He’s traveling to Milan for a few days. You won’t see him, I promise." Those were her exact words. That promise had been the only reason I had agreed on visiting. Well, plus the fact that it's been days since I last saw Coran. He wasn't one to bother me, but I knew he wanted to see me as well. Now, as I stepped out of my car and adjusted my sunglasses against the blinding sunlight, the sight of the grand villa stole
Luca’s POVI was still at the hospital with my mind still reeling from the photos Nadia had shown me earlier, when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I didn’t even check the caller ID before answering.“What?” I snapped impatiently into the receiver speaker. “Get to my house. Now.” Coran’s voice was sharp and his tone left absolutely no room for argument. I frowned. “What the hell is this about?” I demanded. “You know exactly what it’s about.” His tone was controlled, but there was an edge of something that resembled a hardly contained anger under his voice. “Get here, Luca. Or I’ll come to you.” he threatened. The line went dead before I could respond, I let out a harsh breath as my jaw clenched. What was this? I get that Coran could be overbearing and too demanding at times, this could probably be just some emergency. Perhaps an integral part of his Mafia family like Lorenzo was in an emergency and needed to be treated on as soon as possible and he needed my help but whatever thi
Chapter FourJessica’s POVI sat curled up on my couch with my knees tucked to my chest while staring blankly at the untouched pizza box on my coffee table. The TV was on and some mindless show was playing with the volume on mute.My fingers dug into the soft fabric of the blanket which I had wrapped around me. It was more or less a very feeble attempt at comfort that did nothing at all, to say the least to ease the chaos inside me.I had locked myself inside my apartment since last night and had tried to use that as a means to shut out the world. My phone was off and my laptop was closed. The only sound that filled the space in my apartment was the occasional drip of water from my kitchen faucet. But even with all the silence I simply couldn’t quiet my mind.Because all I could think about was him.Luca.I clenched my jaw as my stomach twisted with what felt like guilt and self-loathing.They had become my companion now. Admittedly, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed every single second of i
Chapter 3Luca's POV I walked into the hospital the next day and was greeted by the usual sterile scent of disinfectant that instantly filled my lungs. The place was as busy as usual—doctors and nurses moved around with purpose, while patients were wheeled down corridors. Conversations naturally blended with the occasional beep of heart monitors. A typical scenerio of a busy hospital. As I stepped my foot into the office room, something felt off... Jessica's usual cheerful self wasn’t anywhere to be found, everywhere was quiet and sad. I swallowed hard as I dropped my folder bag on the chair.I carefully checked the locker room, the changing room and even the damn supply closet where she sometimes stay whenever she wants to avoid paperwork. Nothing.I clenched my jaw as I pulled out my phone, prepared to call her.The call went through but soonest, I got the same response I have been getting since the previous day... Voicemail.“Jess, where the hell are you? Call me back.” I said in
Chapter TwoLuca's POVI let out a groan and stirred as sunlight filtered through the half-open blinds of the hotel room and another tired moan escaped my lips. My body felt warm—too warm. I reached out instinctively and my fingers grazed the empty sheets beside me. The place felt warm but the spot was vacant. I let out a frown as I turned my head. The bed was unmade and the sheets were in disarray. I took in a deep breath and instantly I recognized the unmistakable scent of jasmine and vanilla that still clung to the fabric. It was a very familiar scent. Jessica’s scent.And then realization hit me. .JESSICA'S SCENT! Holy shit.Now fully awake, my eyes widened as fragmented images from the previous night surged through my mind. The wedding. The drinks. Yes. I remembered them all. The laughter. And then, .....her hands tangled in my hair. The feel of her lips against mine. The sounds she had made. The heat. The urgency. The way her body had melted into mine, as if this we had don